Cheryl l'hirondelle Waynohtew

Cheryl L’Hirondelle (aka Waynohtew, Cheryl Koprek) is an Alberta born but currently a Vancouver based, halfbreed (Metis/Cree-non status/treaty, French, German, Polish) multi/interdisciplinary artist. Since the early 80’s she has created, performed, collaborated and presented work in a variety of disciplines: performance art, music, theatre, performance poetry, storytelling, installation art, video and new media. Since the early 90’s she has also worked as an arts programmer, cultural strategist/activist, arts consultant, facilitator/coordinator, administrator, assessor, workshop and sessional instructor and director/producer independently and within the artist-run network, national independent music industry, various educational institutions, first nations bands, tribal councils and government agencies in this land now known as Canada. Her practice is an investigation of the intersection of cree worldview (nêhiyawin) and the inter/multidisciplinarity of creative expression inherent in other indigenous, world and youth cultures. As part of this investigation, L’Hirondelle develops performative, physical endurances, infiltrations and interventions, site-specific installations, interactive net.art projects and keeps singing, making rhythm, dancing and telling stories whenever and wherever she can.

"Sometimes the antidote and/or answer to problems, questions and dilemnas is right under our nose, yet because of our disconnect due to popular media and a pre-occupation with technologies, we sometimes need to be reminded of the inherent power of the local and location. Our old people are still positioned as the keepers of important points of view and knowledge though because of limited access, poor health and other physical and social impediments, we miss out on their wealth of history and a generative life long knowledge. The question this project poses is this: can we use technology to connect generations and speak to each other?"